SEVEN HEAD AND NECK CANCER MYTHS DOCTORS MUST EDUCATE PATIENTS ABOUT

Debunk head and neck cancer myths. Separate facts from fiction to promote early detection. Learn what you must inform your patients about.

- Dr Nishil Gowda

Head and neck cancers are a major global health concern, affecting thousands of people each year. In India, the burden of cancer is significant, with approximately 14 lakh (1.4 million) new cancer cases and over nine-lakh (9,00,000) deaths reported in 2022.

Despite the widespread prevalence, there are various misunderstandings about these malignancies, which can delay detection and affect treatment outcomes. Here, we address and clarify seven prevalent myths that clinicians should actively educate patients about:

Myth 1: A persistent cough or throat sensation is a sure sign of cancer

Fact: While a chronic cough or the sensation of something stuck in the throat (glothey are not the only causes. Additional factors include:

• Poor dental hygiene, including gum disease, can raise the risk of oral cancer.

• Human Papillomavirus, specifically HPV16, has been related to head and neck malignancies, notably oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the throat).

• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is linked to some head and neck cancers, specifically nasopharyngeal cancer.

• Occupational exposure to substances such as asbestos and wood dust can raise the risk of head and neck cancer.

Men are more likely than women to develop these malignancies, and the risk increases with age, particularly after 50. Understanding these diverse risk factors empowers bus sensation) can be alarming, they are not clear signs of head and neck cancer. More serious symptoms include:

• Sore throat, particularly on one side (unilateral)

• Persistent voice changes, such as hoarseness

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia or odynophagia) While these symptoms require medical treatment, they might be caused by a variety of diseases other than cancer. Early consultation with a doctor is critical for a correct diagnosis and treatment.